Global Scans · France · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Discontent with political elites and country performance is driving the discourse and demand for action from the French public. With Presidential elections due in May 2017 it remains to be seen whether another political earthquake may happen in one of the EU's founding countries.

• [New] To help achieve sovereignty, France aims to reach 1 5GW of installed offshore wind power and a threefold increase in installed solar photovoltaic capacity by 2035. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, France has been working to decarbonise and meet the European Union's goal of a 66.25% -72.5% reduction in emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] Last month, France had said it planned to add a further 36 billion euros ($39 billion) to its defence spending between now and 2030 under an updated military planning law that expands its nuclear arsenal and boosts missile and drone stocks. Global Banking & Finance Review
• [New] Among the European markets, France emerges as the most rapidly growing region, with forecasts suggesting that it will achieve a substantial revenue of $15.0 million by 2033. www.limelightdigital.co.uk
• [New] With France preparing to host the G7 Summit in Evian next month, Nairobi presents an important opportunity to elevate African priorities on climate finance, debt restructuring, tax justice and reform of the global financial system onto the broader international agenda. Greenpeace Africa
• [New] Germany is investing billions toward AI independence, France has embedded it into its national strategy, and Saudi Arabia has made it a pillar of Vision 2030. WRAL
• [New] The French-led ELSA project is intended to provide a missile with a range of between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometers (621 and 1,243 miles) and that it should be in service by the 2030s. The War Zone
• [New] France 2030 funds operate more like evergreen vehicles with sovereign backing and strategic mandates beyond pure financial return. Angel Investors Network
• [New] Australia will fly its first zero-gravity scientific research team on a large crewed parabolic flight in October this year, following a landmark agreement between the French Space Agency CNES and The University of Western Australia. Mirage News
• [New] For 2026, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand will all be sending combat troops to the Philippines. Rappler
• [New] As European markets experience a wave of optimism amid hopes for a shorter Middle East conflict, the STOXX Europe 600 Index has seen notable gains alongside major indices in Germany, Italy, France, and the UK. Yahoo Finance
• By 2030, France aims for 66% of new car sales to be electric and for public transport to increase by 25%. Bizclik Media Ltd
• The ultimate goal is to reduce dependence on oil and gas, setting an end-of-sale target for thermal passenger vehicles by 2040. / France Bizclik Media Ltd
• France's 2017 Climate Plan introduced legislation to phase out hydrocarbon production in France by 2040. Bizclik Media Ltd
• Germany and France are already moving in that direction, planning to invest €35 billion and €16 billion respectively by 2030 to strengthen their military space capabilities. The Parliament Magazine

Last updated: 20 May 2026